What to notice
Every starting number ends in 5 or 0, which is how to tell whether a number divides by 5 with nothing left over. Numbers ending in 0 give an even answer (40 ÷ 5 = 8); numbers ending in 5 give an odd one (35 ÷ 5 = 7).
There is a doubling shortcut: to divide by 5, double the number and divide by 10. For 45 ÷ 5, double 45 is 90, and 90 ÷ 10 = 9. It sounds roundabout, but it is quick once practised, and it works for bigger numbers too.
The starting numbers go up by five: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60. Those are the minute marks on a clock, which is why the clock works as a picture of this whole table.
Dividing by 5 also tells you how many hands: 35 fingers is 7 hands, because 35 ÷ 5 = 7. Hands are a picture of this table children always have with them, and counting hands of fingers is a gentle way to check any answer.
How to practise at home
- Use a clock: name a number of minutes past the hour and ask which number the minute hand points to.
- Count nickels: 30 cents in nickels is how many nickels? That is 30 ÷ 5.
- Ask “how many fives in 45?” and count by 5s on your fingers together. Ask again a day later and see whether the counting is shorter.
- The 5s often come quickly, which makes the drill on this page a good confidence round before dividing by 6 or 7.
- Ask about money in reverse: “I have 40 cents in nickels. How many nickels?” Then let your child check by counting real nickels into groups.
Slips to watch for
- Answering with the tens digit, such as 4 for 45 ÷ 5. Count by fives to check: nine fives make 45.
- Mixing up the top two facts, 50 ÷ 5 = 10 and 55 ÷ 5 = 11. Say the matching multiplication aloud.
- Trying to divide 32 by 5. It does not end in 0 or 5, so it does not divide evenly; there would be a remainder.